When I went back inside, I was still dumbfounded. I wanted to think that whatever I heard back in the garden wasn’t true but who am I kidding?
Why did fate seem to be playing with me?
When the most anticipated time arrived, I stood there frozen among the crowd, my toes were curling on my shoes. If I was just any girl, it would have been a privilege. I would feel blessed for receiving the Alpha’s attention and making my father proud, but that wasn’t the case.
All my life I felt like I was chained. Dad honed me to be the person he wanted me to be. His principles were unbreakable rules. The world he gave me felt like a cage and all I ever wanted was to break free. I was under his control all my life, and now am I going to be controlled by another man?
“I know most of you are waiting for this,” said Alpha Calix with a smirk on his face. After looking around, his eyes found mine once again.
An unfamiliar shiver ran through my spine.
“Now I’m going to announce the five ladies who will be subjected for a thorough screening. The first one is…”
Everyone cheered when a councilor’s daughter was called. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest when another name was mentioned. After three names, my hands had grown cold and I wondered if what the alpha told me was really true or if he was just joking.
“The fourth lady is Genevieve Quinn…”
Genevieve who was near me was teary eyed when her name got called. Most people weren’t surprised by it. Genevieve’s father was the head councilor. It was expected she would get a spot. After all, only those born to a family in the upper class were deemed to be deserving of the Luna’s position.
“And now we are down to the final spot,” said Alpha Calix, smiling menacingly at the many ladies who were hoping for their name to be called.
Dad must be praying now that the last name would be mine.
With my hands clutching the sides of my dress tightly, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I silently wished in the air.
Please don’t call my name… please.
I hoped the Alpha was just joking when he said that. Or if it was true, I hoped he changed his mind. I hoped he wouldn’t see me as someone worthy to be chosen.
“The fifth lady is… Loraine Sullivan.”
And just like that, my world crumbled.
I opened my eyes and saw everyone was looking at me. But my eyes were on him… on the devil who found me intriguing and wanted to have me wrapped on his fingers.
I saw it in the way his lips curved. He saw me as a toy he could play with.
Of course, my father was beyond joyous. When we got home, he immediately told the maids to pack my newest and most beautiful dresses. He couldn’t wait to send me to the Alpha’s mansion. He didn’t even notice the dread written all over my face. Or maybe he noticed but chose to ignore it because he didn’t care.
“Don’t be sad. I promise I will visit you often,” consoled Rose while I was sitting in front of the mirror and she was combing my hair.
“I don’t want to go, Rose,” I admitted in a small voice. “I don’t want to be one of the alpha’s toys. I’ve accepted I can’t be with Jacob but what about my mate? I’ll have my wolf sooner or later. I will meet him. I just hope he has the means to fight for me.”
“But… I don’t think there is anything you can do in this case, Lory. Dad is determined to offer you to the alpha. And Alpha Calix must have chosen you because of Dad’s position in the district.”
I sighed.
“Don’t worry, there is a fair chance you wouldn’t be chosen to be his wife. There are four other ladies including the head council’s daughter, Genevieve Quinn. Besides, Alpha Calix promised not to sully any of the ladies’ honor, so he can’t force you to do anything with him.”
A promise not to sully the ladies’ honor? Yes, he could sign those papers to put the public at ease but would it even matter behind closed doors? I doubt it. He was the alpha, the person who held the most power and influence in the district. A word from him was enough to twist the truth. So those papers he signed were nothing but a mere formality.
“While I’m away, take care of yourself and don’t sneak out. Do you understand?” I gave my sister a smile of assurance so she wouldn’t worry too much.
It was the first day I would live in Alpha’s estate. The car was already outside and we stood at our mansion’s gates to bid our goodbyes to each other.
“You are the one who loves sneaking out, Lory. I don’t do that.”
I smiled, “Right. You are the obedient Miss Sullivan while I’m the rebellious one. I just want to remind you in case you will find some reason to sneak out. I don’t want you to get punished.”
We both knew Dad’s cruel ways especially when it came to his punishments. Looking back, I couldn’t help but smile when I remembered he never caught me sneaking out to meet Jacob. I was quite lucky.
“I will wait for you,” a tear escaped Roselle’s eyes even when she fought the urge to cry.
I pulled her into a hug. “Oh you are such a crybaby, Rose. What will I do to you.”
“Make sure you come back, Lory. I don’t care what you do. Just do something so the alpha won’t choose to marry you. Do something silly. Turn him off.”
The butler of the Alpha’s mansion, Mr. Judson, was waiting for me at the gates when my family car arrived. The middle-aged man was with some maids to assist me. “Welcome, Miss Loraine. Let us help you with your things.” “Have the others arrived?” I asked. “Yes, they are at the dining hall with Alpha Calix. They are all waiting for you.” I nodded and followed the butler. The maids took care of my belongings. I didn’t want to bring more than necessary but Dad insisted on bringing more than what I would need in my one month stay here. I guessed he was expecting I’d be chosen to be the Alpha’s wife and there was no need to come back home. “Alpha has arranged everything for all the ladies. Your rooms are ready and I will let you see them later,” said Mr. Judson. When we arrived at the dining hall, I realized what the butler said was really true. Everyone was already present at the table. Alpha Calix was sitting at the head of the table, on his right were Genevieve and Lea, while on h
“How was your sleep? If there is anything you don’t like about your rooms, just tell Judson. He will make the necessary arrangements,” said Alpha Calix during the next day’s breakfast. Our places on the table were still the same. Genevieve and Marianne had the seats nearest to the Alpha while I took the farthest among the five ladies. Last night, I thought about what Roselle said to me when I left our mansion. She said something like turning off the alpha so he wouldn’t choose me. It actually made sense. If I would just mind my own business and wouldn’t try hard on pleasing Alpha Calix like what everyone else was doing, then probably he wouldn’t see me as a wife prospect. I should also try doing the opposite of what he was expecting from us. The quicker he’d get turned off, the quicker I could leave. “Loraine.” When Evelyn, who was sitting beside me, kicked my foot under the table, it was only then I realized that Alpha had been calling my name and I wasn’t paying attention. I lift
Even when I was already in the car with the girls, I still could feel my cheeks burning hot. I knew Alpha Calix was flirty but I didn’t know he was shameless! How could he say words as scandalous as that? I really wasn’t wrong when I thought the agreement he signed about not sullying the ladies’ honor was an empty promise. He was good looking and powerful, I got that, but did he expect every woman would be pleased with his advances and bite his trap mindlessly? “Your cheeks are flaring, Loraine. Not feeling well?” Evelyn asked which made Genevieve’s head turn to me. We were inside one van while Alpha Calix had his own car. “You should have told Alpha that you’re not feeling well, dear Loraine. You don’t have to try so hard even when you can’t make it,” Genevieve’s tone indicated concern, opposite to what she was implying. “I’m alright, Genevieve. Thanks for the concern. I’m just feeling a little feverish due to the cold weather. I can manage just fine.” I really didn’t understand
“Are you heading back to the mansion now?” Michael asked after the match. Even when it was the first time he joined Clayburrow’s equestrian match, Alpha Calix aced the game. There were a fair number of participants who knew well what they were doing, but Alpha seemed to be a little more aggressive than the others. The way he moved with his horse, it felt like he wanted to burn the whole arena. Thinking about how he looked at me before the match started made me feel a hollow in my stomach. If it was really me he was looking at, did I get him annoyed? But I only changed seats. Did he say something like the girls should stick together at times like this? I couldn’t remember. “Loraine?” Michael called when I didn’t answer his question. I offered him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Yes, I think so.” “We should go to our favorite café, Lory! Mr. Michael can go with us too!” Rose butted in. “I’m sure the Alpha doesn’t forbid you going out?” I shook my head. “Then that’s great! What do you
Alpha Calix went out of the car first by the time we arrived at the mansion. What he said caught me at a loss for words. My palms were covered with cold sweat as I tried to come up with something, but the words wouldn’t roll out of my tongue. Perhaps why I couldn’t argue about it because deep down, I knew it was true. I felt safe around Michael and being with Alpha Calix was a whole different thing. Alpha had already made it to the mansion’s door with his long strides while I was still halfway through it. As if my body hadn’t gone cold enough due to the anxiety I went through, the rain suddenly poured. I ran to the mansion but I still got drenched. Water was dripping from my dress to the floor as I hugged myself to ease the cold. “Get her a towel.” I looked around and saw Alpha near the stairs, watching me with the same dark eyes. I jumped a bit when a loud thunder came. The maid who was asked to get a towel hurried. She was about to give it to me but Alpha grabbed it from her han
I’m not sure if the man meant luck or misery, but at that point I only know one thing. I can use Alpha Calix to free myself from my father's grip. I have no idea what he’s planning to do with me but I’m ready for the worst. If he will have me as his whore or his slave, then so be it. Staying pure doesn’t matter now. Staying alive does. I need to live no matter what the odds are because that’s the only way I can go back to my sister. “You are one lucky lass. You became Alpha's favorite,” said the woman who is dressing me up. I don’t have the energy to move so I just let her do what she wants. I stared at the mirror mindlessly, and didn't have the time to care how I looked or what dress I was wearing. The bruises in my arms I got from running in the forest were covered with long sleeves of my knee-length dress. The other girls were dressed with short sleeves, I was the only exception and I guess it was because I’d looked horrible with my bruises. My pale lips were also now painted wit
I’ve always felt the weird demeanor Benedict has all those years of him acting loyal to my father. He’s handsome, quiet, I think the quietest man I’ve ever met, he’s most of the time serious, and he never looked at any girl in our pack. He was either training the men or handling the pack’s affairs. I didn’t have casual conversations with him even though he was often invited to our house for dinners and parties. I’d always seen him in the town, and back when I was still studying, we went to the same school. I didn’t give him much attention then, but I knew he was good at academics. Well, he’s good at everything he does if my memory serves me right. Although his beta father died early, with his contributions, everyone believed that he was the only man worthy of my hand. They said we were perfect for each other. I couldn’t disagree more. I had never pictured myself marrying Benedict Allen. I could stomach Tyler, his geek cousin who couldn’t even throw a punch, but not him. Even though
“Be a good girl. Do you understand, little wolf?” I gritted my teeth. Wanting to claw him on his face but I can do nothing but purse my lips tight so a word won’t slip. I’m sure he won’t think twice on hitting me and I know receiving a blow from a male alpha isn’t something my fragile body is ready for. Alpha Calix went back to the table and drank his wine, wiping his lips with the napkin before leaving the dining hall. I blew the breath I was holding back. My eyes shut as I took a handful of my hair, sitting on my heel, feeling so weak and helpless. I’m angry at myself. Why did I have to be born a female when my family got no one to depend on but me? Although there are female alphas in other packs, most are still traditional and see women as weaklings. That the alpha position should only be given to males. I dragged my feet back to my room and stood in front of the window. The downpour was making the glass blurry, not allowing me to see what was outside. It was getting colder and